The Housing Minister has lashed out at politicians who are “more intent on whipping up anger and division” than finding solutions to social problems.

Simon Coveney told Newstalk's The Sunday Show there has been a global shift towards polarised politics in recent times, citing a rise in nationalism in the UK and France as well as the election of Donald Trump to the White House.

He said Irish people have been asked to make huge sacrifices over the last eight or nine years and accused rival politicians of “trying to take advantage of that by whipping up anger and protest and division across society.”

Minister for Housing Simon Coveney said the government is committed to public pay restoration, but that it "must be done in a timeline the country can afford".

Pressure is building since the recent deal negotiated with Gardaí. Trade union SIPTU has agreed to give Ministers another two weeks to set a date for public salary negotiations, or it will ballot its 60,000 members on industrial action. Pressure is building since the recent deal negotiated with Gardaí -

Speaking on The Sunday Show, Mr Coveney said any change to the Lansdowne Road Agreement could jeopardise vital services.